Device for handling capsules containing radioactive substances



June 1942- H. F. KAISER 2,285,440

nnvm: FOR HANDLING CAPSULES counmme RADIOACTIVE sussmncns Filed Jan. 22, 1941 HERMAN F. KAISER A TORNEY Patented June 9, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR HANDLING CAPSULES CON- TAININ G RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) This invention relates to devices for handling capsules containing radioactive substances and it has a particular relation to devices for handling capsules employed for radiographic purposes.

I-Ieretofore, a capsule of the type referred to has been handled by means of cords attached to its opposite ends so that it could be removed from the lead storage container and positioned on location for exposure purposes with a minimum of danger to the operator from radioactive emanations. These cords frequently became frayed and broken, necessitating replacement thereof and the consequent intimate physical contact with the capsule itself.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a simple, inexpensive and improved device for handling capsules of the type described at a safe distance from the rays emanating therefrom, the improvements comprising, in brief, an elongated holder of nonmagnetic material having a permanent magnet mounted thereon for movement between a position in which it will attract and pick up a capsule provided with a magnetizable portion, and a position in which it is sufficiently removed therefrom to release the capsule quickly when desired.

With this and other objects in view, as well as other advantages that may be incident to the use of the improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements constituting the same may be varied in proportion and arrangement without departing from the nature and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. a

In order to make the invention more clearly understood, there are shown in the accompany ing drawing, means for carrying the invention into practical use, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular construction, which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a spacer rod and radium capsule magnetically held thereby;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1 with the capsule released from the spacer rod; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of another form of magnet for supporting the capsule.

Referring to the drawing, the invention is shown as comprising a spacer rod herein shown as a tube I!) of brass, fiber, Bakelite, duralumin or other nonmagnetic material and provided with a hand-grip II at one end thereof and closed at its forward or outer end by a cap I2 having a tapered opening I3 therein. A permanent magnet I4 of the bar type is slidably mounted in the forward end of the tube I0 and is provided with a tapered pole piece I5 adapted to project through the opening I3. The magnet I4 is urged outwardly to a position where it will magnetically attract and support a capsule I6 of magnetizable material containing a radium pellet II, by means of a coil spring I8 interposed between the inner end of the magnet I4 and a stop I9. The magnet is retracted into the tube I0 a distance sufficient to release the capsule therefrom by a pull rod 20 of nonmagnetic material which is secured to the magnet and extends axially through the tube It, stop I9 and a bearing 2I to a point near the hand-grip II. The rear end of the rod 20 is bent at right angles to the main portion thereof and extends through a slot 22 in the tube I0 and is provided with a finger piece 23. The capsule I6 comprises a cylindrical shell 24 of magnetic material, such as iron, closed at its ends by screw plugs 25.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a magnet 26 of the two-pole type. In this form of the invention a sleeve 21 is secured to the forward end of the tube I0 and carries a thin metallic diaphragm 28 which seals the end of the tube In and limits the outward movement of the magnet 26. This diaphragm also, to some extent, acts as a keeper when the device is not in use.

In operation, the device is grasped by the hand-grip II and, with the magnet I4 held at a distance from the body, it is inserted in the lead storage container where it magnetically attracts the ferrous shell 24 of the capsule to it. The capsule adheres to the magnet end of the holder and may then be carried to the place where a radiographic exposure is to be made, where it is released by retracting the magnet into the tube I 0 by pulling on the finger piece 23.

The length of the tube not only protects the operator from the radioactive emanations, but facilitates the insertion of the capsule into a pipe when it is desired to radiograph the wall structure for flaws or the like.

It will be understood that the above description and accompanying drawing comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of the invention and that various changes in construction,

proportion and arrangement of the parts may be made within the scope of the appended claims without sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

1. A holder for a capsule containing a radioactive substance, comprising a spacer rod having a metallic end element movably mounted thereon at one end thereof for engagement with a metallic element forming a part of said capsule, one of said elements being magnetized to magnetically attract the other of said elements, whereby said capsule may be supported and transported by said rod at a safe distance from the operator, and means for retracting the element on the rod to release the capsule therefrom.

2. A holder for a capsule containing a radioactive substance, comprising a spacer rod having a metallic end element slidably mounted thereon at one end thereof for engagement with a metallic element forming a part of said capsule, one of said elements being magnetized to magnetically attract the other of said elements, whereby said capsule may be supported and transported by said rod at a safe distance from the operator, and means for sliding the element on the rod away from the end thereof to a position where the flux density at the end of the rod has been decreased sufficiently to release the capsule.

3. A holder for a capsule containing a radioactive substance, comprising a tubular spacer rod having a metallic end element slidably mounted therein at one end thereof for engagement with a metallic element forming a part of said capsule, one of said elements being magnetized to magnetically attract the other of said elements, whereby said capsule may be supported and transported by said rod at a safe distance from the operator, and means for sliding the element in the rod away from the end thereof to a position where the flux density at the end of the rod has been decreased sufficiently to release the capsule.

4. A holder for a capsule containing a radioactive substance, comprising a nonmagnetic spacer rod having a permanent magnet movably mounted thereon at one end thereof for engagement with a metallic element forming a part of said capsule and magnetically attract the same, whereby said capsule may be supported and transported by said rod at a safe distance from the operator, and means for retracting said magnet on the rod to release the capsule therefrom.

5. A holder for a capsule containing a radioactive substance, comprising a non-magnetic spacer rod having a permanent magnet slidably mounted thereon at one end thereof for engagement with a metallic element forming a part of said capsule and magnetically attract the same, whereby said capsule may be supported and transported by said rod at a safe distance from the operator, and means for sliding said magnet along the rod away from the end thereof to a position where the flux density at the end of the rod has been decreased sufficiently to release the capsule.

6. A holder for a capsule containing a radioactive substance, comprising a non-magnetic tubular spacer rod having a permanent magnet slidably mounted in one end thereof for engagement with a metallic element forming a part of said capsule and magnetically attract the same, whereby said capsule may be supported and transported by said rod at a safe distance from the operator, and means for sliding said magnet in the rod away from the end thereof to a position where the flux density at the end of the rod has been decreased sufficiently to release the capsule.

7. A holder for a capsule containing a radioactive substance, comprising a tubular non-magnetic spacer rod having a permanent magnet slidably mounted therein at one end thereof and having its opposed poles arranged at the forward end' thereof for magnetic coupling with a metallic element forming a part of said capsule and magnetically attract the same, whereby said capsule may be supported and transported by said rod at a safe distance from the operator; a diaphragm secured over the forward end of said rod for engagement by the poles of said magnet; and manually operable means for sliding said magnet in the rod away from the end thereof to a position where the flux density at the end of the rod has been decreased sufficiently to release the capsule.

8. A holder for a capsule containing a radioactive substance, comprising a tubular non-magnetic spacer rod having a permanent magnet slidably mounted therein at one end thereof, and having its opposed poles arranged at the forward end thereof for magnetic coupling with a metallic element forming a part of said capsule and magnetically attract the same, whereby said capsule may be supported and transported by said rod at a safe distance from the operator, and manually operable means for sliding said magnet in the rod away from the end thereof to a position where the flux density at the end of the rod has been decreased sufficiently. to release the capsule.

9. In combination with a capsule containing a radioactive substance, a holder therefor comprising a spacer rod having a metallic end element movably mounted thereon at one end thereof for engagement with a metallic element forming a part of said capsule, one of said elements being magnetized to magnetically attract the other of said elements, whereby said capsule may be supported and transported by said rod at a safe distance from the operator, and means for retracting the element on the rod to release the capsule therefrom.

HERMAN F. KAISER. 

